East Peoria’s Eklund, Olympia’s Frye win CSM Spring Athletes of the Week

After leading their teams with big-time performances, East Peoria’s Kaden Eklund and Olympia’s Gabby Frye received the most votes in their respective polls and won CSM Spring Athletes of the Week for the week of March 31-April 6.

Eklund, a junior on East Peoria’s boys track and field team, starred for the Raiders at Moline’s Gene Shipley Invite while Frye led Olympia softball to three wins, on top of throwing a no-hitter. 

Read more about our winners and get to know them in Q and A’s below:

Eklund won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 38 percent of the votes in the boys poll. The East Peoria athlete began his outdoor season at Moline’s Gene Shipley Invite on April 5, winning the long jump with a mark of 20 feet and 10.75 inches. He also ran in the 100 meters, finishing sixth with a time of 11.86 seconds. Earlier this season, he won the long jump at the Pontiac Boys Indoor Invite and earned a spot at the Illinois Top Times Championships. 

Get to know Eklund in a Q and A here:

What’s been your favorite memory of the season so far?

“My favorite memory this season is going to Top Times.”

If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?

“If I was stranded on an island, I would bring my teammate Jeremiah [Boatright] because me and him always have a good time.”

Favorite music artist?

“My favorite music artist is Lil Tony.”

Favorite food?

“My favorite food is burgers.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“My pregame ritual is listening to music while warming up.”

Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?

“My favorite college is LSU.”

Do you have any hidden talents?

“My hidden talent is being able to do backflips on the ground.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My role model is Mike Powell because he holds the world record for long jump.”

Frye won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 51 percent of the votes in the girls poll. A pitcher and a big bat in the Olympia lineup, Frye threw a five-inning no-hitter in a 12-0 run-rule win over Tremont on April 3 and was one error away from a perfect game. At the plate in that game, she went 3-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. Earlier in the week, she tossed a shutout in a 2-0 win over Bloomington and went 2-for-3 while also picking up the win in the circle in a victory over Mahomet-Seymour.

Get to know Frye in a Q and A here:

What’s been your favorite memory of the season so far?

"My favorite memory would be getting chased by a tornado on the bus heading to a game at the Slugger Dome."

If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?

"I would choose Kennadie Finchum because she’s like my little sister. Our energy and personality are the exact same, She’s the teammate I enjoy everyday."

Favorite music artist?

"Ty Myers and Treaty Oak Revival."

Favorite food?

"Chicken quesadilla."

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

"Listen to music, and putting 2 pieces of gum in at all times to help keep me focused."

Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?

"My Favorite college is FGCU, and LSU."

Do you have any hidden talents?

"I can pop my shoulder blades out pretty far."

Who’s your role model and why?

"My role models would be my parents because I would not be where I am today without them."